TRNC has no expectations in new Cyprus talks

ANKARA

Even as the leaders of Turkish and Greek Cypriot are scheduled to meet on Aug 9, foreign minister of Turkish Cypriot on Wednesday said, he does not expect any headway towards a comprehensive solution.

“There would be a meeting, where some issues on trust building will be discussed, but there will not be any progress towards a comprehensive solution," Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Ozersay told Anadolu Agency.

"TRNC administration is favoring to take some steps. Some steps have been taken regarding the future of Closed Maras region. Greek Cypriot should not be included in this region, but they would probably demand their inclusion," said Ozersay, while referring to Greek Cypriot's obstructive role on the Closed Maras -- or Varosha in Greek -- issue.

Maras is southern quarter of the Cypriot city of Famagusta under the control of the TRNC. He said that the region can be tuned into a civilian place from the military area.

The TNRC has already announced the opening of the Maras to tourists.

In 1974, Turkey's military intervened in Cyprus to prevent a change in the island’s political status quo following the Greek Cypriot military coup against the internationally-recognized government of the Republic of Cyprus. In the following years, inhabitants completely abandoned the Maras city, located in the middle of Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

*Writing by Burak Bir;